Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox has today launched a bid to stop the construction of the Severn barrage.

Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox has today launched a bid to stop the construction of the Severn barrage.

The Conservative North Somerset MP claims the scheme championed by former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain could cost thousands of jobs in England and prove an environmental disaster.

Dr Fox, who quit the Cabinet in October last year, wants to unite businesses and environmental groups in opposition to the £34bn bid linking Cardiff to Weston-super-Mare which it is claimed could provide 5% of the UK’s electricity needs.

Mr Hain today described Mr Fox as an "ideal opponent".

Supporters of the scheme received a boost last month when Lord Heseltine’s pro-growth report stated the barrage offered “the possibility of both a long term source of energy and extraordinary economic regeneration”.

Mr Hain quit the shadow cabinet in May to spear-head the necessary legislation to give the green light for a privately-funded barrage, which he claims would be the “biggest single source of renewable energy in Europe”.

Mr Fox has vowed to oppose Mr Hain’s legislation, raising the prospect of a clash between two of parliament’s highest profile ex-cabinet ministers.

His pledge to work to “block the barrage” comes just days ahead of the deadline for submissions to the Westminster Energy and Climate Change committee’s investigation into the case for such a construction project.

Mr Fox argues not enough time has been provided for businesses and environmental groups opposing the project to submit their evidence.

Mr Fox said that a report due to be published on Monday by RegenSW looking at energy-generating options for the Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel will show “the numbers just don’t add up” for the barrage. It is expected to state there are viable tidal range, tidal stream, wave and offshore wind options.

Mr Fox attacked the barrage plans, saying: “The proposal from the Hafren Consortium is not at all clear, especially on the impact on water levels at Avonmouth.

"Independent estimates suggest that water levels may be as much as two metres lower which will have a profound impact on the ability of Bristol Port to handle modern cargo ships. This threatens 500 jobs directly and 7,500 jobs in the wider Bristol/North Somerset economy but especially in Portbury, Portishead and Pill.”

He continued: “The economic interest is compounded by the environmental impact of any such projects and I will be looking to meet with the RSPB soon so that I can fully understand the damage the

barrage will cause to the salt marshes and mud flats that are used by 69,000 birds each winter.

“Bristol has had a thriving port for centuries and the Severn Estuary is an essential habitat for hundreds of species of fish and birds.

The economic and environmental damage caused upstream of a Severn barrage threatens both and these arguments need to be made in parliament and, if necessary, in the courts.

“Energy security is vital to our national interest and green energy will play a role in that, but there are better, more modern technologies that could harness the power of the estuary without damaging the environment or our local economy. The campaign to ‘block

the barrage’ begins today.”

Mr Hain denied that the water levels would fall in the way suggested by Mr Fox.

He said: "All of his arguments are false.The Bristol port will get substantial new work as a result of the barrage construction. During the barrage construction it will be extremely busy, as will other ports in the area."

Mr Hain said that "literally thousands and thousands of tonnes of rock will be dropped onto the sea bed" during a construction period expected to last around eight years.

The Neath Labour MP said Mr Fox was on the "extreme right wing of British politics," adding: "In some ways he’s an ideal opponent... I find it absolutely extraordinary he’s setting his face against it."

A Government-sponsored feasibility study concluded in October 2010 that the £34bn Cardiff-Weston barrage offered the best value for money of a range of schemes, including two other barrages and two lagoons.

While it stated there was not a strategic case for public investment in tidal energy at that time, it did not rule out a privately financed option.

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